By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
On a sunny Sunday in September, pilgrims again gathered on top of the hill north of Aberdeen where the Knights of Columbus erected a 100-foot-cross to mark the new millennium, to pray for the protection of life from conception to natural death.
The annual pilgrimage to the Millennium Cross Sept. 13, on the eve of the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, began with a “living rosary,” led by pilgrims seated at giant beads, who were invited to pray in their own language.
Praying a “living rosary” with pilgrims seated at each bead of the giant rosary surrounding the Millennium Cross. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Guest speaker at the annual event was Fr. Bassim Shoni, pastor of Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon, who welcomed all and acknowledged the presence of Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon and Bishop Emeritus John Pazak, CSsR, of the Eparchy of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Faithfulness, mercy and love were hallmarks of Fr. Shoni’s message about the sacredness of life, and the need to provide outreach, support and love to those who are struggling.
He noted the emotion that was evident during the praying of the rosary. “We are recalling to mind all those babies, unborn babies, and maybe other things that bring us to sorrow, even though we pray the Joyful Mysteries. But the joy is always in our heart, because we have the Saviour, we have Jesus Christ, who gives life, who gives support to all of us.”
Shoni urged his listeners to pray in love and mercy for all to realize and proclaim the truth about human life as a sacred gift of God. “We are not here to condemn anyone, but to pray for everyone,” he said.
Guest speaker Fr. Bassim Shoni of Sacred Heart Chaldean Church reflected on the call to build a culture of life. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Citing scripture and Catholic teaching, Shoni stressed that all human beings are created in the “image and likeness of God” and all have inherent dignity. “Every human person, the elder person, the person with disability, the sick person, the poor person, the imprisoned, the immigrant, and the unborn child — every human life has dignity because that dignity comes not from us, not from the people, but from God. And therefore, we cannot decide when a human life is valuable, and another human life is not.”
Even when a pregnancy comes at a difficult time or with great challenges, “a child in the womb is not a problem to be solved,” he said, adding that difficult situations call for support for all who are struggling.
“The child is still a child. The child is still created by God. The child is still loved by God. And the mother is also loved by God. This is extremely important. The Church is not against the mother,” he said.
“We should never put a woman in a situation where she feels that she must choose between her own future and the life of her child. Instead, as Christians, we should ask, how can we help this mother? How can we support her? How can we help her financially? How can we help her family? How can we accompany her? How can we make sure she knows that she is not alone? Because if we tell people, ‘do not have an abortion,’ but we disappear when they need us, when they need help, then we have not fully lived the Gospel.”
He added that abortion is not an unforgiveable sin, stressing that Jesus offers forgiveness and mercy. “Run toward Jesus. Do not hide from God. Come to meet God. Do not believe the voice that says you are unforgivable. That is not the voice of Christ. The voice of Christ says, ‘come home.’”
He urged his listeners to pray, to reflect, and to take action to build a culture of life.
“We must ask, what am I doing to build a culture of life? Do I support mothers who are struggling? Do I help families who are poor? Do I welcome children with disabilities? Do I visit the elderly? Do I defend the dignity of sick people? Do I care for people who feel unwanted? Do I pray for women facing difficult pregnancies? Do I support fathers who are struggling? Do I make my parish a place where a woman can come and say, ‘I am pregnant, I am afraid, and I don’t know what to do’ The church must be a place where people hear: ‘you are not alone.’”
Updates and events
Representatives of several pro-life organizations also spoke, providing overviews and updates.
Frances Stang of the Saskatchewan Pro-Life Association reported on the fall membership drive underway in October, plans for the next edition of Choose Life News, and plans for the annual March for Life to the Legislative Building in Regina on the second Thursday of May. She also highlighted a planned speaking tour in the spring, with Alissa Golob of the organization Right Now, who as a pregnant mom uncovered late-term abortion policies.
Louis Roth of Campaign Life Coalition provided information about the Forty Days for Life public prayer witness at the corner of Queen Street and 7th Avenue in Saskatoon weekday mornings until Oct. 23, as well as the annual Life Chain event to be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 across the country, including at Idylwyld and 22nd Street in Saskatoon, at the Civic Park in Humboldt, SK, and at the corner of Highway 21 and 1st Avenue in Unity, SK.
Representatives of several pro-life organizations brought greetings and updates about activities, including (left to right) Frances Stang of Saskatchewan Pro-Life Association, Louis Roth of Campaign Life Coalition, and Donna (Bayda) Sapieha of Saskatoon Pregnancy Options and Support Centre. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Donna Sapieha of Saskatoon Pregnancy Options and Support Centre spoke about the outreach and assistance given to women and families dealing with an unexpected or difficult pregnancy. The centre provides information about options and community services, as well as pre-natal education, parenting information, ongoing support, and supplies, as well as post-abortion support. The centre does not charge for its services, and “every conversation is confidential and compassionate,” she said.
History of the Millennium Cross
The 100-foot Millennium Cross was raised in 2006, replacing an earlier wooden cross. The monument was first envisioned by local farmer Joseph Bayda, Sr. as a witness to the sanctity of life, and originally supported as a millennium project by the Knights of Columbus council of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Saskatoon. Many others have supported the initiative over the years, and the annual pilgrimage is held every September.
Photos
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Displays were part of the annual pilgrimage. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Hand-made rosaries by Catholic high school students were available on the display and information tables. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Each year pilgrims gather at the cross, first envisioned by Joe Bayda, Sr., who donated the site for the Knights of Columbus millennium project. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Pilgrimage MC Kendal Bayda-Long. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Donna (Bayda) Sapieha read scripture and reflections for each Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)